Nazanin Zargarpour, M.P.P., Ph.D. (she/her), is a pioneering leader in the field of equity-focused systems change, bringing over 30 years of social justice-centered research, practice, and advocacy to her work. As the Founding President and CEO of the Learning Collaborative Institute (LCI), Dr. Zargarpour has championed cross-sector Learning Collaboratives that leverage meaningful data, engage the voices of marginalized communities, and align systems to ensure equitable opportunities for all. Her work spans diverse fields, including education reform, international development, and human trafficking victim services, all grounded in her unwavering belief in the inherent value and potential of every individual.
A scholar and practitioner, Dr. Zargarpour’s extensive expertise in driving evidence-based systems change has made her a trusted advisor to state governments on education policy and practice, and a key guide to national and state funders on strategies that promote equity for underserved populations. Her work has impacted people, practices, systems, policies, and communities—transforming the way organizations think about and achieve social and economic justice.
Dr. Zargarpour has spent 19 years as a professor at Claremont Graduate University, where she has taught, mentored, and guided the next generation of scholars in the Schools of Educational Studies and Social Science, Policy, and Evaluation. Her research expertise includes formative assessment, collaborative inquiry, and strategies to improve college and career success, particularly for low-income and first-generation students. A prolific researcher and thought leader, Dr. Zargarpour has served as the principal investigator on over $20 million in research and evaluation contracts and grants, providing strategic guidance and building capacity in more than 350 organizations.
Her innovative leadership has led to high-impact initiatives, including the Regional Learning Collaborative, which brings together 90+ education leaders and has resulted in a 600% increase in college attainment for over 140,000 low-income students annually. She is also the Founding President of Capacity To Impact, Inc., an applied research and evaluation firm dedicated to helping equity-focused organizations achieve transformational change through evidence-based methodologies.
Dr. Zargarpour holds a Ph.D. in Education Reform, Policy, and Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Southern California, with a focus on International Development Education in rural communities. Her work is grounded in cultural relevance, professional integrity, and a commitment to equity, making her a highly effective partner in advancing systems change and fostering inclusive, sustainable solutions for underserved communities.
